Best Life Week - Dr. Oz and the Ultimate Health Checklist

The Oprah Winfrey Show | June 17, 2009

Photo: iStockphoto

Step 5 requires more than a shopping cart, but it's crucial to living your healthiest life. What do you need to do? Know your numbers.

Dr. Oz says to grab a measuring tape and start with your waist size. "Measure at your belly button," he says. "Ideally, your waist size should be less than half your height. For most men, that means less than 40 inches, and for most women, less than 37 inches."

Once you have a handle on your love handles, check your blood pressure. Of all the numbers you need to know, Dr. Oz says this one is the most important. "If the systolic or first number is 140 or above or if your diastolic or second number is 90 or more, alert your doctor," he says. The ideal blood pressure is approximately 115 over 75.